NEW WORLD TRANSLATION OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES (2013 REVISION)

Psalms 55:1-23

To the director; to be accompanied with stringed instruments. Mas′kil.* Of David.55 Listen to my prayer, O God,+And do not ignore my request for mercy.*+2 Do pay attention to me and answer me.+My concern makes me restless,+And I am distraught3 Because of what the enemy is sayingAnd the pressure from the wicked one.For they heap trouble upon me,And in anger they harbor animosity against me.+4 My heart is in anguish within me,+And the terrors of death overwhelm me.+5 Fear and trembling come upon me,And shuddering grips me.6 I keep saying: “If only I had wings like a dove!I would fly away and reside in safety.7 Look! I would flee far away.+I would lodge in the wilderness.+ (Selah)8 I would hurry to a place of shelterAway from the raging wind, away from the storm.”9 Confuse them, O Jehovah, and frustrate their plans,*+For I have seen violence and conflict in the city.10 Day and night they walk around on its walls;Within it are malice and trouble.+11 Ruin is in its midst;Oppression and deception never depart from its public square.+12 For it is not an enemy who taunts me;+Otherwise I could put up with it.It is not a foe who has risen up against me;Otherwise I could conceal myself from him.13 But it is you, a man like me,*+My own companion whom I know well.+14 We used to enjoy a warm friendship together;Into the house of God we used to walk along with the multitude.15 May destruction overtake them!+Let them go down alive into the Grave;*For evil resides among them and within them.16 As for me, I will call out to God,And Jehovah will save me.+17 Evening and morning and noontime, I am troubled and I groan,*+And he hears my voice.+18 He will rescue* me and give me* peace from those fighting against me,For multitudes come against me.+19 God will hear and respond to them,+The one who sits enthroned from of old.+ (Selah)They will refuse to change,Those who have not feared God.+20 He* attacked those at peace with him;+He violated his covenant.+21 His words are smoother than butter,+But conflict is in his heart.His words are softer than oil,But they are drawn swords.+22 Throw your burden on Jehovah,+And he will sustain you.+Never will he allow the righteous one to fall.*+23 But you, O God, will bring them down to the deepest pit.+Those bloodguilty and deceitful men will not live out half their days.+But as for me, I will trust in you.